Modern medicine does not pay much attention to small pelvic varicose veins.This issue only began to be discussed in the 1980s.For this reason, today's pathological diagnosis is difficult.Many Soviet school specialists were unaware of the treatment of pelvic varicose veins in women.As a result, vascular disease progresses, leading to severe changes in the function of the reproductive system.
What are pelvic varicose veins?
When talking about varicose veins in the small pelvis, many people think of hemorrhoids.However, when the topic comes to the female population, the problem takes on a global scale.Women who have intestinal blood vessels do not necessarily develop pelvic varicose veins.Therefore, the absence of hemorrhoids does not guarantee that a patient does not have pelvic varicose veins.
The first mention of pelvic varicose veins in women was in 1975.Treatment was initially pursued surgically, but this did not make sense.
Pelvic varicose veins are unnatural stretching of blood vessels.For some reason, the veins lose their elasticity.They take in the required amount of blood as before, but can no longer expel it.As a result, biological fluids become stagnant in blood vessels.Walls can stretch, thin, and become damaged.The disease progresses throughout life and does not manifest immediately.Therefore, pelvic varicose veins are most common in women approaching the age of 30-40 years.The danger of varicose veins is that the stretched blood vessels undergo a stagnant process.This increases the risk of blood clots.In addition, varicose veins in the small pelvis significantly reduce a woman's quality of life and cause other health problems.
Causes of pelvic varicose veins
Because pelvic varicose veins in women have only recently begun to receive attention, the problem is still not fully understood.Doctors cannot say the exact cause of the disease.There are different hypotheses regarding the occurrence of the pathology, but none has been accepted so far.
Pelvic varicose veins may be caused by:
- Genetic predisposition.Observations revealed that cases of vascular disease ran in the families of the patients examined at a young age.
- Wrong way of life.Vascular disease occurs due to poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol abuse and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Connective tissue dysplasia.Reductions in collagen and other components of connective tissue cause blood vessels to stretch.
According to statistics, up to 35% of healthy people will develop connective tissue dysplasia and suffer from vascular diseases in old age.Of these, about 70% are women.At the same time, experts have not yet learned to predict this change and effectively prevent varicose veins in the small pelvis.
risk factors
Pelvic varicose veins are more common in women who:
- Have bad habits;
- Live a sedentary lifestyle;
- Spend a lot of time sitting;
- Don’t live an intimate life;
- overweight;
- Suffering from varicose veins in the lower limbs;
- Have given birth at least once;
- Had abdominal surgery.
Pelvic Varicose Veins: Symptoms in Women
Not all people with pelvic varicose veins develop symptoms.Many women don't realize they have this condition for years until they suddenly discover it.Some have clinical manifestations but are associated with other conditions.Because diagnosis is difficult and little attention has been paid to this pathology, doctors often make errors in diagnosis.For example, a woman complains of abdominal pain and a doctor diagnoses it as inflammation of the appendages, but the symptoms are actually caused by varicose veins.
Symptoms of the disease:
- Pain in the lower abdominal cavity, radiating to the sacrum or legs;
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse;
- A feeling of heaviness in the pelvis during menstrual bleeding;
- swelling in the lower abdomen;
- Varicose veins of external genitalia and lower limbs;
- An increase in platelets in the blood.
If a woman is at risk of pelvic varicose veins and has typical symptoms, this disease must be ruled out.For this purpose, the clinic uses laboratory, instrumentation and hardware diagnostic methods.
Pelvic varicose veins during pregnancy
Pelvic varicose veins can cause pregnancy in women because blood circulation in the pelvis is impaired.If the disease affects the gonads, their function may change.However, in most cases, varicose veins will not prevent conception but may cause problems during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, patients with small pelvic varicose veins should pay special attention.During pregnancy, various problems can occur with the blood supply to the placenta, causing irreversible consequences for the development of the fetus.As platelet levels increase in the blood, women may need injections of diluting medications to prevent pregnancy complications.
clinical diagnostic methods
Doctors can suspect varicose veins in a woman's small pelvis during the first examination.The gynecologist will compare symptoms, assess risk factors, and perform a bimanual examination.On palpation, the patient may experience pain in the pelvic area.If varicose veins develop in the external genitalia or inner thighs, the problem is likely to be present in the pelvis as well.To confirm pathology, the clinic uses hardware and instrumentation techniques:
- ultrasound.When examining the pelvis, experts often don't pay attention to blood vessels.However, the latest ultrasound scanners make it possible to examine veins.In varicose veins, the veins are enlarged and twisted in an unnatural position.
- Vascular Doppler imaging.Diagnosis evaluates the condition of the vascular and venous systems of the pelvic organs.In the case of varicose veins, reduced contraction speed is detected in the iliac veins of the ovary and uterus.
- Laparoscopy.The surgeon uses an optical system to examine the inside of the abdominal wall, the surface of the uterus, and the adnexa.
- Tomography.Computer or magnetic studies using contrast media allow you to examine the location of the vein in detail and see where it is dilated.
Additionally, laboratory tests are available.For differential diagnosis, the doctor performs additional tests based on the results obtained.
Treatment of female pelvic varicose veins
In the absence of significant changes in the veins, patients are treated with medications.Intravenous supplements and anticoagulants are used, and vitamin therapy is recommended.Typically one to four courses are offered in a year.With pelvic varicose veins, it is important to improve quality of life and reduce painful symptoms for patients.
Treatment of vascular disease must be supplemented by lifestyle modification.Lowering cholesterol levels in the body is important in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.It is recommended to maintain an active lifestyle, participate in sports, adhere to proper nutrition and give up bad habits.
During pregnancy, regular visits to a phlebologist are recommended.If necessary, the doctor will arrange irregular examinations.During the second half of pregnancy, medications may be used to maintain venous tone, but only as prescribed by your doctor.Start by evaluating the expected benefits and possible risks of medications prescribed during pregnancy.
clinic treatment
If there are no results after outpatient treatment, hospitalization may be recommended.Clinical correction of pelvic varicose veins is performed surgically.Modern surgeries use minimally invasive techniques - sclerotherapy, laser coagulation, etc.Open surgery can be performed if needed.
There is no single treatment option for pelvic varicose veins.Choose an individual approach for each woman.During the course of treatment, the treatment regimen can be changed based on the evaluation of the results obtained.
prevention
Prevention of varicose veins in the small pelvis should start at an early age.It is wrong to believe that this condition is only seen in middle-aged women and does not threaten young girls.Varicose veins begin to appear many years before clinical manifestations occur.Therefore, preventing vascular diseases is necessary for everyone.
recommend:
- maintain a healthy lifestyle;
- adhere to proper nutrition;
- Eliminate bad habits;
- maintain a normal weight;
- Get regular physical exams or a paid diagnostic program, many medical centers offer these services.
If you suspect pelvic varicose veins, you should contact your gynecologist and phlebologist.